Eternal Promises (Book 1 Of: Eternal Emotions)

Unveiling Revaliations

The morning of the festival dawned with a golden sky, stretching wide above Coral Bay like nature itself was flipping off their worries. Excitement buzzed through the air, thick with anticipation and that gnawing feeling that today could either be a fucking disaster or an unforgettable blast. As Aria stood in front of her mirror, a nervous knot twisted in her stomach. Today wasn't just another damn day; it was a culmination of late nights, heated debates, and an unexpected partnership that had formed between her and Liam. "Okay, you've got this," she told her reflection, straightening her vibrant shirt. The residue of frustration hung heavy over her. She grabbed her camera, glaring at the paint-splattered workspace that had once been her sanctuary but now felt like a chaotic reminder of her entanglement with Liam—a cocky, insufferable jock who thought he could charm anyone. When she arrived at the community center, the sprawling lawn was alive with activity. Bright banners fluttered in the morning breeze, families poured in, and laughter mingled with the mouthwatering scent of cotton candy and sizzling food. It felt like a goddamn carnival, and Aria could feel the snickering potential for mayhem tingling in her stomach. "Aria! Over here!" Liam waved, practically bouncing with energy as he coordinated the setup of booths. "Please tell me you're not about to embarrass yourself in front of all these people," she shot back blandly, rolling her eyes as she approached. "Come on, it's all about having fun!" he said, unfazed by her tone, that annoyingly genuine grin still plastered on his face. "Today's going to be amazing." "Yeah, right," she replied, folding her arms. "Just remember that you're not some star athlete here; you're just a glorified organizer at this circus." "Why do you always have to be so negative?" he asked, shaking his head but still trying to maintain a lighthearted demeanor. "I'm trying to make this experience better for you." "Make it better? Seriously? If I wanted advice from you, I'd ask your Instagram. Spare me the pep talks." Her voice dripped with sarcasm, and she could see his worn-out patience begin to fray. "Lighten up, Aria! You've been so uptight lately. It's starting to become unbearable," he said, his tone shifting slightly, frustration weaving into his words. "Unbearable? Ha! Look in the mirror, Liam. You come here in your shiny clothes, playing the role of Mr. Popular, and pretend this means something. News flash: it doesn't." She watched the hurt flash in his eyes and relished the moment. "I'm not jumping on your bandwagon just because you think you can rally the troops." "Listen," he said, an edge appearing in his voice, "I thought you'd want to put yourself out there. But if you're too scared to try because of what others think, maybe you should take a good, hard look at yourself." Her heart raced with irritation. "How dare you presume to understand me or my art? Just because you can throw a ball doesn't mean you know a damn thing about what it means to be creative. You think this is just some hobby to be marketed?" "You think you're the only one with struggles? I'm not just some idiot athlete—you keep painting this picture of me like I'm a fucking one-dimensional character." His voice rose slightly, and Aria could see the tension coiling between them. "Yeah, well, maybe you should have thought of that before barging into my life with your ridiculous ideals," she snapped back, feeling the anger flare. "You're just a distraction I didn't ask for—some cliché jock trying to play savior. Spoiler alert: I don't need saving." "I'm not trying to save you, for fuck's sake! I'm trying to be your friend!" he fired back. "But if you keep pushing me away for some reason that makes no sense, what do you expect?" "Friend? Don't flatter yourself. You don't get to dictate how I feel just because you want to feel good about yourself," she said, venom lacing each word. "Stop acting like you're some knight in shining armor. You're not even in my league." "Just admit it—you're scared of what happens if you let people in. Scared you'll disappoint them." Liam's expression shifted, steady but demanding, and it sent a pulse of rage through her. "Scared? Please, look at you!" she shot back, waving her hands dismissively. "You're like a puppy following me around just waiting for praise. I'm not your special project, and I won't be a charity case. Go save someone else." A silence hung in the air, thick with unresolved tension. Aria breathed heavily, anger coursing through her veins like fire. She didn't want to care about the vulnerability he brought to the surface, and she certainly didn't want to acknowledge how much she secretly wished to connect. "Fine," Liam said finally, his tone clipped. "If you want to keep distancing yourself, then suit yourself. But don't be surprised when you find yourself alone." She watched him turn on his heel and storm away, a mixture of satisfaction and regret swirling inside her. She hated how easily she'd lashed out, but the fear of being vulnerable gnawed at her. Better to keep him at a distance than to acknowledge the small, flickering hope that lingered beneath her rigid facade. Wandering through the festival, she tried to focus on the joyous sights: the laughter of children, the buzzing atmosphere, and the vibrant colors around her. But every time she looked up, her gaze would catch him talking to someone else, that smile still shining like it hadn't just been thoroughly shot down. When the festival truly kicked off, she lost herself in taking photos, hoping the camera would shield her from the unwanted emotions swirling in her chest. Every moment captured felt bittersweet. She brushed her annoyance aside, maintaining her tough exterior, telling herself she didn't need him—she never did. But as the day progressed, that familiar ache crept back in, leaving her more burdened than before. She caught herself enabling the very behavior she tried to escape. And for all her bravado, Aria couldn't shake the gnawing realization: perhaps she was the one missing out. Later, while cleaning up after the festival, she found herself packed tightly into a corridor with lingering festival-goers. The chaos of laughter, music, and chatter buzzed in her ears, overwhelming her once more. Just then, she spotted Liam across the way, surrounded by a bunch of friends, still wearing that insufferable grin. He looked fulfilled and strangely at ease, and at that moment, it felt like a punch to the gut. "God, what an idiot," she muttered to herself, fighting to drown out the flicker of envy that sparked within. She turned away, looking over the crowd, only to feel the rising tension electrifying her skin—what she'd said to him earlier echoed, faint but undeniable. As the last of the guests finally trickled out, Aria found a moment of solitude under an old oak tree, pondering her actions. She clenched her eyes tightly shut, feeling the awkwardness of her earlier words mingling with the tension in the air. "Hey," a voice called out softly behind her, pulling her from her thoughts. It was Liam, standing there with his hands shoved deep in his pockets, looking sheepish yet steadfast. "Um, can we talk?" "Talk? What more could you possibly want? Are you hoping for a heartfelt apology or a hug?" she snapped, the edge returning to her tone without thought. "Honestly, I don't have time for this." He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "No, I'm not looking for a hug. I get it, alright? You don't want me around. But it doesn't change the fact that I still want to be here for you." "Save it," she shot back, her heart racing in irritation and something else she couldn't recognize. "I don't need the pity, Liam." "It's not pity. I genuinely enjoy working with you," he replied, voice steady but imploring, as if he were trying to reach her through the walls she'd built. "But I can't do that if you keep shutting me down and pretending like nothing matters." "Maybe you should keep your 'spare me the advice' speeches for someone who gives a shit," she countered, crossing her arms once more to build up her facade. "Look, I'm not asking for you to open up right away. But building walls isn't going to help either of us," he persisted. "You think I don't see the real talent behind your harsh words?" "Talent, sure. But it's not something I'll share with you," she shot back, voice trembling. But deep inside, something felt unsettling in saying that. "Why? Because you think I'll ruin it?" he asked, his earnestness palpable. "Is that it? You're scared of being let down again, afraid I won't deliver? Because I promise you, I'm trying my best here." "Your best? Please. Your 'best' feels like a marketing pitch to me. I'm not some project you can rescue." Her words had grown more defensive, almost desperate to mask the uncertainty creeping closer. "I'm not trying to rescue you," he replied firmly. "I want to be your partner. But if you refuse to see the potential, it's like talking to a wall." "Maybe that's exactly what I want!" she all but yelled, her emotions spiraling. "I'd rather be alone than tangled in whatever this is. I don't need you or anyone else pretending we're best friends because it's good for your public image. Just... just leave me alone!" Staring wide-eyed at him, the weight of her words hit her like a brick. Aria hated how easy it felt to unleash her frustration onto someone who genuinely seemed to want to reach her. "Fine. If that's how you feel, then I guess it's your loss," he said, disappointment flooding his voice as he took a step back. "Good, then we're clear!" she snapped, her voice ringing in the air as he walked away, leaving her feeling hollow and strangely regrettable. As she watched him go, that rushing wave of anger dissipated, leaving only a sense of longing in its wake. She turned away, knowing the harshness of her words would echo, snapping shut the door on any potential they might have opened together. And there she was, left standing alone, clenching her camera as if it could shield her from the storm of regret brewing beneath her skin, questioning for the first time if perhaps lashing out at Liam had cost her something far more valuable—a chance at connection.

New chapters added to "Eternal Promises" every day! Check it out every day before midnight (EST) for a new chapter before you fall asleep. Enjoy some simple, theatrical romance, comedy, and tragedy between these two enemies-to-lovers in our newest book.